Germany’s scientific institute for evaluating the effectiveness of medicines has concluded that studies of the alcohol dependence drug nalmefene offers no additional benefits to naltrexone, an older and less costly comparator therapy.

The assessment, by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, widely known as IQWIG, is in contrast to an assessment issued in October by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which recommended nalmefene as a “possible treatment” for alcohol dependence. With 28 nalmefene tablets—one month’s worth—costing £84.84 (€108; $132), the NICE recommendation was criticised by some.

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